18/02/2005 Ng-Wanita NG YEN YEN SAYS CONTEST WILL NOT SPLIT MCA WANITA

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 18 () -- MCA Wanita chief Datuk Dr Ng Yen Yen said today she is prepared to be challenged for the movement's top post in the August party elections. She said Wanita MCA had become more united after the general election last year and she believed any contest for the top post would not split the movement. "My relationship with my deputy (Datuk Paduka Dr Tan Yee Kew) is very good now. After the general election, MCA Wanita got two extra government posts. One is held by Dr Tan and another by Chew Mei Fun. "This would not have been possible without unity within MCA Wanita. I hope all the Wanita members always bear in mind this unity which is the strength of Wanita," she told Bernama in an interview in Raub. Dr Tan was appointed Parliamentary Secretary in the International Trade and Industry Ministry and Chew as Parliamentary Secretary in the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry last year. Dr Ng, who is the Deputy Finance Minister, has announced she would defend her post at the Wanita elections scheduled on Aug 19. In the 1999 party elections, Dr Ng, contesting for the first time for the Wanita MCA chief's post, won by defeating the then Selangor Wanita chief Dr Tan with a majority of 209 votes. Three years later, Dr Ng retained the post without contest following the implementation of the MCA peace plan brokered by former Prime Minister Tun Dr . In the coming party elections, there had been speculation that Dr Tan might make another bid for the top post. Dr Tan has not announced whether she would defend her deputy post or try again for the bigger prize. -- BERNAMA AT RAR CTL